Public Observation

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

One of those rare days where one could approach and ski avalanche terrain with cautious confidence. Ski checks and hand pits revealed last week's now snow bonding well to the older surfaces. It's been about 10 years for me since I last skied these lines. 99% of the time, they are too prone to sliding. A few other local savvy skiers whose avy opinions I value made the same call. We all, I think, experienced a sigh of relief at the end of some great steep runs on fun snow. Today or tomorrow after some sun baking? I wouldn't do it again. Timing is everything. Slope angle 35-45 degrees, WNW facing descent, 7800 feet to 5800 feet. We climbed the avi chute to the SE of the western spine of the Snowslide's shoulder, then traversed onto the WNW slide paths below the exposed rocky crest.